Aurora Officer 'Had No Choice' But To Use Lethal Force In 2023, State's Attorney Finds

AURORA, IL — Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser's investigation into a February 2023 police shooting that wounded a man found no wrongdoing on the Aurora Police Department's part, officials said Thursday.

The Kane County State's Attorney's Office opened an investigation into officers Tim Young and Dave Sheldon's use of lethal force in a Feb. 5 incident that started as a domestic disturbance call in the 900 block of Colorado Avenue. The incident resulted in then-21-year-old Kristopher L. Cross being shot and seriously wounded.

The incident started with an argument between the man and his girlfriend that got out of control and brought on a "mental health episode," according to Patch news partner CBS Chicago. Young started by using a non-lethal pepper ball gun in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, but state's attorney's staff said the Cross then ran "aggressively towards [police] wielding a large knife in each hand," leaving Young "no choice but to shoot Cross in this situation."

Bullets struck the man at least four times — once in the leg, stomach, arm and eye, according to WGN.

RELATED: Officer Shoots Man Armed With Several Knives 'Charging' At Police: APD

All officers who responded to the incident were placed on administrative leave per policy, Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said.

Three days after the shooting, Cross was charged with attempted murder, unlawful restraint, aggravated assault to a police officer and aggravated use of a deadly weapon. His case remains ongoing, with his next court date scheduled for 9 a.m. July 11.

In a statement, the Aurora police chief commended his officers' actions, calling them "decisive and heroic."

"Both officers managed the incident as trained, using de-escalation strategies and less lethal options," the chief said. "It was only when those options were ineffective and Mr. Cross deliberately charged toward Officer Young with multiple knives, that Officer Young fired his weapon, striking Mr. Cross. Following these events, the involved officers and additional responding officers immediately rendered medical aid to Mr. Cross until AFD paramedics arrived on scene. Undoubtedly, these actions contributed to the preservation of Mr. Cross’s life."

Mosser echoed the chief's sentiments, saying it was "very clear that they were attempting to de-escalate the situation."

"The split second decision that Officer Young was forced to make in switching from his less lethal option to lethal was impressive," Mosser said in a statement. "It is his quick thinking that not only saved his own life but others as well. Officer Sheldon showed great leadership during this incident and also refrained from engaging as he did not have a clear line of shot. The officers who appeared on site during the incident and after should be commended as well. Everyone acted swiftly to save the life of Mr. Cross."